Agenda item

To consider a report on the Council’s approach to domestic abuse support within the borough including the current service offer and the initial stages taken to review the service.

The Committee received a presentation and considered a report which outlined the council’s approach to domestic abuse support within the borough including the current service offer and the initial stages taken to review the service. The report provided details on the planned review activity and co-production with the public and stakeholders to shape the future service offer for safe accommodation provision.

As this item also cut across the Adults and Health Committee, officers had provided those members with a briefing and shared the report with them to enable them to provide comments and feedback which had been incorporated in to the final report.

Members provided feedback and asked questions in respect of

·       The Current provision by MyCWA was 21 units, while only 16 were being commissioned (25% over provision), why was a reduction to 16 units proposed when data does not show a 25% drop in need?

·       Concerns raised about lack of a line in the MTFS for commissioning.

·       Members sought assurance that the new procurement process would be successful.

·       Concerns were raised about the adverse effect on vulnerable individuals and staff morale due to the Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub currently not being able to meet its referral target.

·       How was success measured and how did the 360 process support staff?

·       Were contingency plans in place for future funding gaps?

·       Concerns raised that the 2025/26 budget appeared to have been set before consultation had taken place.

In response officers stated that:

·       The 16 units were based on an outdated needs assessment; a rapid review was underway for 2026/27.The service accessed safe accommodation on a nationwide basis, and this was in addition to the 16 units.

·       The previous procurement had largely failed due to insufficient funding; an additional £100k had now been built in.

·       The 2023/24 budget was £1.69m and £1.74m had been committed for the 2025/26 budget.

·       Most of the funding was from the Domestic Abuse grant (central government), with some partnership funding (Police, ICB).

·       Safe accommodation was funded via a DLUHC grant, but the duration of the funding was uncertain.

·       Over the last 6-8 months, the DAFSU service had been developed which had eliminated capacity issues, removed waiting lists and meant the service was meeting practice standard targets.

·       Staff wellbeing was supported through clinical supervision and regular team meetings.

·       Domestic Abuse navigators were IDVA-trained and provided education, safety planning, and risk assessments. They handled self-referrals and initial assessments via phone and hone visits were conducted only after risk assessments had been completed.

The Committee thanked officers for their transparency regarding the reasons behind the failed procurement exercise.

RESOLVED: (By Majority)

That the Children and Families Committee

1. Approve the review of the provision for safe accommodation across Cheshire East for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

2. Note the engagement and co-production outlined to develop service model for safe accommodation and a refreshed Domestic Abuse and Sexual Abuse Strategy.

3. Note that the outcome of the review will be reported back to Committee together with a proposed future service delivery model.